Helpful information to re-charge your job search. Includes recommendations on resources, websites, social media, and more!

1. Job Search Strategies
Jen Conole, MS, JCTC/JCDC
Transition & Relocation Manager
U. S. Coast Guard Health, Safety, and Work-Life

2. Objectives
 Your value
 Research Different Jobs (“What’s Out
There?”)
 Finding your Fit and Narrowing it Down
 What do Employers Look For?
 Where to Search
 Researching Companies
 Alternatives and Resume Builders

3. Your Value
 Flexibility, adaptability
 Versatility
 Variety of skills
 Leadership
 Autonomy, Independence
 Loyalty
 Teamwork
 Job-specific skills

4. Research Different Jobs
 What’s out there?
◦ Occupational Outlook/Bureau of Labor Statistics
(http://www.bls.gov/OCO/)
◦ O*NET (http://www.onetonline.org/)
◦ Magazines (CNN Money, San Diego Reader, etc.)
◦ Job Fairs
◦ Informational Interviews
◦ Company Websites (HINT: make no
assumptions!)
◦ Other websites (www.wetfeet.com;
www.theladders.com)

5. Finding Your Fit
 Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) –
Personality assessment
 Human Metrics /Google your “type”
 Boolean searches (bachelor and "social
science" and resource*)

6. What do Employers Look For?
 Degree/credentials/education/training
 Skills
 Interest
 Work history and commitment to job
 Save or make them $$$
 Record of success
 Leadership/autonomy

7. Where to Search
 Professional Associations (
The Association of Executive and Administra
)
 Job Fairs
 Craig’s List (be very careful!! – if it looks
too good to be true, it probably is!)
 Newspaper websites (
San Diego Union Tribune)
 Job Search Engines*

8. Where to Search
 Social Media
◦ Blogs (The Office Professional’s Blog,
Steve Smith’s Career Services Blog)
◦ LinkedIn
◦ Google (find out who’s been searching for
you!)
◦ Twitter
◦ Facebook?

9. Consider your Network

10. Researching Companies
 What should you know?
◦ Organizational structure
◦ Products/services offered
◦ History and philosophy/vision
◦ Size and locations
◦ Growth and earnings
◦ Major competition
◦ Typical career path

11. Job Fairs
 Research companies ahead of time (if
possible) – come prepared with questions
 Dress to impress
 Bring several copies of your resume (one
page, if possible)
 Use good eye contact and a firm handshake
 Engage in conversation…with everyone!
(and don’t forget to smile!)
 Collect contacts (not “swag”)
 Focus on connections/commonalities

12. Alternatives and Resume Builders
 Valuable Networking and Skill Building!
◦ Internships
 Low pay or no pay
◦ Volunteerism (
Corporation for National and Community Servic
)
 Higher Education
 Free Training/Certifications
◦ Career OneStop Centers
◦ Continuing Ed

13. Conclusion
 Your value
 Research Different Jobs (“What’s Out
There?”)
 Finding your Fit and Narrowing it Down
 Where to Search
 Researching Companies
 What do Employers Look For?
 Alternatives and Resume Builders

14. Questions?